What's the British nanny-state been up to recently? Shafting the motorist, of course. TPMS systems are now mandatory in new UK vehicles (as of 1st November, 2014). This might not sound like a big deal, but it really grinds my gears. Here's why;

Firstly, the system is pointless. Checking your own tyre pressure isn't difficult. If you can't manage it, then you're too thick to be trusted with a car anyway.

Thirdly, the additional hardware means more components to break and need replacing, increasing not only the purchase price, but the longer term maintenance. And no, you can't just let the sodding thing break - it's an MoT requirement that it works.

Finally, it's the principle of the matter. What if consumers don't want or need this system? Why should they be forced to have it (and pay for it) against their will? The manufacturer is doing business with the consumer, not the government, so the decision to include TPMS concerns the manufacturer and the consumer, not the government. Such legislation adds force and coercion into an otherwise peaceful and voluntary transaction, showing complete contempt for the economic liberty of both manufacturers and consumers alike.

But most of your objections are attractions for the industry (and hence for govt, who are lobbied, and not big fans of libertarian political arguments either, since, in the limit, they'd put them out of bizniz.)

This will cost money and it'll lead to obsolescence. Both GOOD THINGS, and you can hide that with the fig leaf of greater road safety.

If it could somehow also be argued that it helped catch paedophiles and terrorists (perhaps they are notorious for low tyre pressures?), as was done for road use monitoring/charging, it'd be perfect.

I understand the US systems (naturally this crap originates in the US) enforce both a minimum and a maximum pressure, so you are essentially restricted to a fairly narrow tolerance around the manufacturers recommended (mandated) pressure.

The manufacturers recommended (mandated) pressure has generally been optimised for comfort first (since that sells cars), handling second, with fuel economy third. I have the reverse order of priorities, and generally run much higher pressures than recommended. (Currently 40 v. 30 psi).

With a TPMS I'd have to do as I'm told.

If I had a Ford TPMS I'd have to do as I'm told by the company who caused the Ford Explorer/Bridgestone tyre failure debacle.

"On most cars, the new tyre pressure sensor requires activating and then coding to the vehicle’s on-board computer. It appears that most aftermarket tyre fitting cannot offer this service and so a main dealership visit might be the only answer."

If true, that'll be another reason for adoption, since manufacturers LOVE proprietary tech that hooks the punter to the dealership for servicing.

"The final ‘repair’ option is to disable the Tyre Pressure Monitor system completely. This can be performed on most makes and models but the procedure will require specialist diagnostic equipment, which is often the preserve of single-make specialists and main franchise dealerships."

Now ya talkin'. A one-off payment sounds better than being stuck with some government imposed nanny device.

"This option might be the cheapest one but it does carry a safety risk, in that a driver will no longer be alerted in the event of low pressure or a sudden tyre deflation."

"The final ‘repair’ option is to disable the Tyre Pressure Monitor system completely. This can be performed on most makes and models but the procedure will require specialist diagnostic equipment, which is often the preserve of single-make specialists and main franchise dealerships."

Now ya talkin'. A one-off payment sounds better than being stuck with some government imposed nanny device.

As you point out above though, that option won't be available if its mandatory, as in the UK gov's MOT.

If suppose it MIGHT be available if the system was fitted before it became mandatory, in the same way that cat's can be legally removed from some transitional-period cars.

To be fair, when I was having internyet arguments over tyre life/treatment options and such, and looking for evidence, I found surveys of the US vehicle fleet reporting fairly huge levels of underinflation. Can't remember seeing any numbers for the UK, and maybe its less of a problem there, but the US market (especially California) has long driven regulatory developments in Europe.